We Made it!

We're in Santa Cruz, Bolivia!

Right now, we're at Warren's home in Santa Cruz.  He and his wife have a beautiful home for their family, which i'll tell you more about later, but they gave us a quick overview of what to expect in the coming week.

We're going to grab lunch here, chicken and rice, and then drive the 6-7 hours to San Isidro.  Here's a picture of the bus.

Sorry Jake didn't get this attached to the last post but here is a picture of them before they left this morning. Currently they are en route to Miami and then on to Bolivia. They left from Omaha and then to Chicago. Two flights down and one more to go. Tucker seems to be enjoying himself and eating really "healthy". (Mc Donalds)

We're off

Bolivia or Bust!

We're giving our family big hugs and lots of kisses before our adventure.

If you see Keaton during the next week, don't ask her how dad is doing.  I'm not sure she understands us being gone, but she cried for a half an hour in her bed last night, until mom went up and laid down with her.  I think she was extremely tired after having a full day of her brothers baseball games........

Please pray diligently for us as we're gone.  Kate is much better about knowing what to pray about, as in her last post, but I'd just reiterate to pray for our safety after we land and for all the kids we'll be meeting.

I'm hoping we'll have internet service in the big city at the beginning and end of the trip, so I can make a few posts from Bolivia.  Otherwise, "Til we meet again".

Hasta Luego,

Jake and Tucker

A Wife and Mother's Thoughts...

So I have been trying to come up with something I wanted to write about, but I think I now know what the term "writers block" feels like. For someone who typically always has something to say this is a new feeling! 

I am not a worrier by nature. I understand worry, but for me, it has never been a struggle of mine. I am thankful for that. So the thought of a foreign country, or rare diseases or other dangers have not gotten me stirred up. Until today....

Today I have felt worry about some silly things and some very real things. I am already anxious for their return. So tonight I started to reread one of my favorite books, you know the one that you need to read every year just to have a gut check. After a few pages the Lord God gave me a few things to focus on.... 

1. God is a faithful, living God who goes with us where ever we go. 

     "The Lord is near" Philippians 4:5

2. He has good plans for us. 

     "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you.                                    

      Plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

It reminded me that when we worry we are telling God that "he can't". So I will keep my eyes focused on Him, the author and perfecter of my faith, the God who is and was and forever will be, the God who has protected my every step thus far in life and will continue to do so.   

So in writing tonight I have Faith in what I hope for and I am certain of what I do not see. 

Please continue to pray for Jake and Tucker... For safe and timely travels, for Jake and Tucker to see Gods hand in all their preparations and activities, for the town of San Isidro to meet the one true and living God through this group of people, for protection of their physical bodies and spiritual bodies, and for all of us still here that we may remain in Him and Him in us. Also I will be praying for communication to be possible at least once during their trip.

Thank you to all of you who have helped make this trip possible, either by monetary donations or prayers and encouraging words. We are truly blessed people!

Katie

Going Minimalist Style

When I mentioned to my dad that Tucker and I were travelling with one backpack each he shook his head and stated that when I get excited to do something I go all in.  He mentioned my current passions of Crossfit workouts and skiiing.  I can think of past passions like fishing and camping/canoeing, where I got all geared up and didn't have the time for it and the passion fizzled.  But if the time arises I'll be ready to go!

So now with my world travelling about to begin I'm getting into "minimalist travel".  Minimalists only take the bare necessities, knowing that they can purchase or find what they need where ever their travelling.

I purchased a nice midsize backpack, the COVRT 18, from 5.11 Tactical.  This pack has a ton of different compartments, as well as a small MOLLE system on the front, which allows items to be attached by with carabiners.  It's certainly not huge, but will be big for Tucker to haul around, although it won't have too much in it.  We'll put the supplies we'll need for the plane ride, such as books/kindle, some snacks, and games.  We'll also utilize this pack as a EDC (Every Day Carry) while we're in Bolivia.

I'm also borrowing a Rush 72 pack from my friend Jeff Brinkley.  It's also made by 5.11 Tactical and is a large backpack.  This will carry all our clothes, food, and supplies we don't need access to while on the plane.  It's just large enough, that the airline may have me check it at the gate on the smaller planes to O'Hare and Miami.  So I don't want to get stuck with nothing to do........

Here's a list of what we're bringing that will fit in the packs:

3 Pairs of shorts
1 pair of pants
3 T shirts
1 long sleeve shirt
1 light coat or sweatshirt
3 pairs of underwear
3 pairs of socks

Multi-use soap (For bathing, laundry detergent, & dish washing)

Hand sanitizer

Clothesline

Flashlight

deodorant

pack towel

toothbrush

toothpaste

sunglasses

cell phone

phone charger

Headphones

kindle

camera

passports

Whistle

Medicine (Malaria & a strong antibiotic just in case) 

Watch

Immodium

Food 

2 water bottles

cards, cribbage board, bananagrams, boggle for the plane

Extra Batteries

Razor

Bug Spray

Sunscreen

Hats

I started packing last night.  Without any of Tuck's clothes, all that only took up half of the big backpack, and a very small portion of the mid size.  We'll have plenty of room to bring back souvenirs for Kate and the kids.


We plan on buying some sandals while we're down there, even though we could easily fit them in at this point.  But we're told the Bolivians are very resourceful and make extremely comfortable sandals out of old tire rubber and leather.  It'll be interesting to see what else we'll need, but we can easily head down to the village market and gather any needed supplies.

Last Bible Study Meeting

I'm really getting excited now.   We finished up with our last full group meeting at The Plex with both the basketball camp group, the canopy build team, and the well drilling team.

We've been meeting twice a month for the past three months and every Monday for the past 4 weeks.  We've been doing a study called "Before You Pack Your Bag, Prepare Your Heart: A Short Term Mission Preparation Guide".  It has 12 Bible studies that we've gone through individually and in our small group teams.

Lesson 1 talked about having a willing attitude.  A "whatever it takes" mantra.  We're definitely in for that.  With a huge language barrier, in a country far from home, teaching a sport they may know nothing about, is definitely going to take a "whatever it takes" attitude!

We read Matthew 25:31-46, where we learn that by serving others we serve God and utlimately we'll be judged by what we do for those that need help and compassion.  We also read Matthew 28:18-20.  Jesus gives his disciples his last instruction, telling them to tell all people about Him, the father, son, and Holy Spirit.  Tell them everything that He had taught them.

Lesson 2 dealt with the benefits of a mission trip.  The benefits for those for whom the mission is for, our group, and us, individually.  God will use this trip in all facets.  We'll bring encouragement, energy, resources, to the Bolivians, many of which will already be Christians.  As a group we'll learn a different culture, perspectives, values in a larger worldview.  Individually we'll use our gifts, be challenged spiritually, appreciate the blessings we have, and see God work through us.

If there's one thing I've heard over and over from other dads, since we've committed to this trip, is the opportunity for Tucker and I to grow our relationship.  I've had Grandpa's, dad's of college aged kids, high schoolers, young kids like Tucker, all appreciate this opportunity I'm getting.  This is the one thing I'm most excited to see God grow.

In Lesson 3 we took a look at the "how", more than the "what".  "How" are we going to accomplish our work.  It's more than just putting on a basketball camp, it's "How" we go about it.  Our attitudes that will exemplify Christ.

In Phillipians 2:3-4, is the passage


"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."


I spoke with Jon Ziegler about his trip to Africa.  His group had a plan, a schedule that they believed would produce the highest reward.  It was based on production and getting as much completed in the amount of time they had.  But what they found out was God was going to teach them something about patience and compassion.  To work alongside the locals, not as leaders, but as co-laborers.  Their schedule and way of doing things meant nothing to the villagers.  But their willingness to help, and subtleness to teach went the furthest.


We'll need to remember that as we're trying to teach basketball.  It's not going to be "what" we teach, it needs to be "how" we teach it.  With humility.


I'll do the other 9 lessons that we went over in the next few days.  It'll be good for me, since I may not have done them all the first time.........

I've got to get to packing!

Shots and More!

If you don't like shots, don't go out of the safe zone.

Tetanus, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Malaria, Typhoid Fever, Salmonella, Cholera, Giardia and other diseases are a bit of a concern in underdeveloped countries around the world.  Some are preventable with vaccinations, others with proper care and handling of food, and by using good 'ol insect repellent.

Tucker and I went to the travel doctor at McFarland Clinic, Dr. Peter Wolfe.  He does a little research through Travax and the Center of Disease Control.  He gave us a folder with all the information he went over while we were there, as well as a Travax Traveler Health Report about Bolivia.  The report talks about which immunizations you should get and what diseases are a threat in different regions throughout Bolivia.    Some diseases, such as Malaria, don't need to be vaccinated for if you'll be above 8,200 ft. in altitude.   Malaria is transmitted through mosquitos, and you don't get mosquitos that high in the mountains.

The Travax Traveler Report even has a travel advisory section that discusses any problems of crimes towards travellers.  At big tourist destinations, pickpocketing is a concern, but we won't be at those places.

One interesting advisory to note:
"Travelers are advised against going on illegal prison tours, as there are no safety gaurantees, no authorities to help should a problem arise within the prison".

So, I guess I won't be showing Tucker the Bolivian prison system..........

At the clinic, Tucker and I both received the Yellow Fever and Hepatitis A vaccinations, and I got the pleasure of a third shot for the Tetanus.  The next day we both felt tired, probably had low grade fevers, and I couldn't move my arms.  Love those shots.....

We also got prescriptions for Typhoid Fever and Malaria vaccines, and a strong antibiotic.  The Typhoid fever we're taking now for a week to get us ready.  The malaria one we take daily while on the trip and for seven days after.  The antibiotic is only if we come down with something while we're there.